Culinary adventure on Sanibel Island

Hello from Fort Myers.... we are ever so-slightly going board out of our  minds waiting for repairs to be completed on Cool hand. The new transmission has arrived and work is underway to get her back together. We are still staying at Candlewood Suites thanks to an excellent rate from Expedia.  Yesterday we had a visit with Terry and Susan from Chasseur  They have moved from Marathon to Fort Myers Beach and plan to spend the next year here. 

Today Tom and I thought we would check out the Tangier outlet mall. Tom has been looking for a new pair of sunglasses since his fell out of his pocket and into the bay. He didn't have any luck but I made a few purchases.  

Next stop Sanibel Island. I tried to visit back on 4/17 during the "season". The place was jammed even in the torrential downpour, and I really didn't get to see anything. 

We decided to find somewhere to eat and now to the main reason for this blog entry. We found Sweet Melissa's Cafe....

I have had two memorable meals up until today.  Memorable because the food was delicious, unique, the ambiance of the restaurant, the wonderful service.... Well after 3000 + miles there have really only been two 5 star meals.  We had dinner at Sweet Melissa's Cafe on Sanibel Island and if you are in the area this is a MUST STOP experience. I started my meal with a watermelon salad,  Yep  watermelon, heirloom cherry tomatoes, olives, mozzarella cheese, razor thin strips of cucumber, drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette infused dressing. My taste buds danced happily in all the flavors.  Main course for me as a Duck breast and Tom had Tuna each wonderfully prepared with unique ingredients. We topped it off with dessert. 

We will return 

(This is not my photograph)  The Sanibel Cause way is three miles long  with a 6$ toll for
island-bound traffic. It consists of three separate two-lane bride spans and two man made
causeway islands between each of the three bridges.  This is the only bridge that Cool Hand
can get under in the Fort Myers area

The  first settlement petitioned for a lighthouse
on the island but it was not until 1884 when
the island was re-populated that it was constructed

Berry Tart,

Tom with his Key Lime Dessert

(this is not my Photograph) With her culinary and management talents consistently praised, Chef Talmage has received high praises from every major publication in Southwest Florida, with recipes featured in multiple local travel and restaurant guides. At the 2010 Sanibel Island Taste of the Island, she was awarded first place for Best Appetizer. 2011 saw her selected as the “Best Chef for a Chef” Vintner Dinner in the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest. The popular on-line dining reservation website, Open Table, recognizes the restaurant with Diners’ Choice Awards, including Best Food, Best Overall and Best Service. With a menu and true talent that keeps diners begging for more, Sweet Melissa’s Cafe and Chef Melissa Talmage are ‘Creatively Out Of The Ordinary’. Visit Chef Melissa’s (http://www.melissatalmage.com) website.